Applications of Differentiation Summary

Applications of Differentiation

Summary

differentiation has many uses besides finding gradients.

differentiation gives a measure of a rate of change at a particular instant. it gives an instantaneous rate of change.

calculus is also useful for solving real-life type problems where values need to be maximised or minimised.

the study of problems involving distance, velocity and acceleration is called kinematics. solving problems of this type involves the use of differentiation and integration because both velocity and acceleration are rates of change.

key skills

 

  • solve problems involving rates of change
  • solve problems where amounts need to be maximised or minimised
  • solve problems related to distance, velocity and acceleration

Vocabulary

 maximum, minimum, maxima, minima, velocity, acceleration, displacement, kinematics, differentiate, integrate, gradient